International Piracy stands out as of prime importance to the emerging challenges that will have eventually to be dealt with by NATO member states. Member-states such as Greece hold a high interest and a high stake but also a duty to protect their national and multinational interests. Security training and ‘smart preparation’ for a ‘smart engagement’ at sea, may positively affect training and operations for future, naval land and air interoperable alliance components.

The threat of piracy may be considered as being used to justify naval spending. In direct terms, this leads to an environment of increased naval activity that is potentially destabilizing, with greater numbers of aircraft, warships and submarines at sea, including in areas such as the seas of East Asia, where sovereignty disputes and bilateral tensions already exist.

By Efthymios Efthymiopoulos (MBA) Vice-President of Strategy International